God Became Man

Spiritual Vitamin: "The word became flesh and made his dwelling among us." John 1:14

Challenge: God came to earth as a man: Jesus Christ. He did it because He loves us so much. This gives us great reason to celebrate the Advent season. Take time each day leading up to Christmas to reflect on Jesus, and the joys of Christmas. Read and re-read the Christmas story. Ask God to help you keep your focus on Him this Christmas season.

Prayer: Dear God, Thank you so much for sending your Son, Jesus Christ, to earth, to become a sacrifice for our sins. Christmas is the most joyous time of the year as we celebrate your amazing gift to us. Lord, help me not get caught up in the craziness of the holiday, but to keep my focus on You. I worship you and celebrate You this Christmas! Amen.

John 3:16

Spiritual Vitamin: "For this is how God loved the world: he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him may not perish but have eternal life." John 3:16

Challenge: Have you ever really considered how much God loves the world? He loved his creation so much that He literally gave up his one and only Son to die and become a sacrifice for our sins! As you live your life this week, consider how valued and loved you are by God. He sent His only Son to die so that you could have life. Christmas was the beginning of something so life changing!

Prayer: Dear God, Thank you for the gift of love, Jesus! Thank you for sending your one and only Son to this earth so that we could have life. In Christ, I am free from condemnation. In Christ, I am promised eternal life. Just knowing this realization gives me so much joy, purpose and hope. Thank you so much! Amen.

Immanuel

Spiritual Vitamin: "Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and they shall call his name Immanuel" (which means, God with us) Matthew 1:23

Challenge: We are officially in the Christmas season! Whether you're shopping for deals today on line or in the stores, we can begin the Christmas frenzy today! Jesus's name was called Immanuel. What difference would it make in your life if you truly lived each day believing that God was with you?

Prayer: Dear God, Thank you so much for sending your son, Jesus, to this world. As I begin preparations for Christmas, I ask that You show me what it would be like to live each day with Immanuel. You are with me always, so I ask that I would recognize that and it would change the focus of my life. Lord, I need You. Help me to walk through this Christmas season with You being my Immanuel. Amen.

Peace of God

Spiritual Vitamin:Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. (Philippians 4:6-7)

Challenge: Have you ever noticed that there is always something to be anxious about? What causes you anxiety? COVID, Christmas season, work, relationships, conflict? Let's start the Christmas season with a spirit of thankfulness. Instead of being anxious, let's go straight to prayer, presenting every request we have to God. May God's peace be with you.

Prayer: Dear God, Thank you so much that You long for me to give you my anxious spirit. In every situation, You desire me to come to You in prayer, with thanksgiving and share with You my needs.Thank You God, that You give me your peace. I long for your peace. Thank You for the gift of your peace. Amen.

Shout for Joy!

Spiritual Vitamin: "Shout for joy to the Lord, all the earth, Worship the LORD with gladness; come before him with joyful songs. Know that the LORD is God. It is he who made us, and we are his; we are his people, the sheep of his pasture. Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise; give thanks to him and praise his name. For the Lord is good and his love endures forever; his faithfulness continues through all generations. (Psalm 100)

Challenge: What words do you see that describe gratitude? What words describe the Lord's attributes? Everything about this verse tells us to praise God and give Him our thanksgiving. Have you ever played the Alphabet Game? Walk through the entire alphabet by yourself or with your family and come up with one thing your thankful to God for. A-Z! Go! 

Prayer: Dear God, Thank You so much for this beautiful Psalm that is perfect for Thanksgiving! It's full of such joy and gratitude and praise for who You are! You made us! We are Yours! Thank You that You are good all the time and that Your love endures forever. I'm so grateful that you are faithful. I give you thanks this day! Amen.

God is Personal

Spiritual Vitamin: "The Lord is my strength and my shield; in him my heart trusts, and I am helped; my heart exults, and with my song I give thanks to Him." (Psalm 28:7) 

Challenge: David declares that You are his strength and he would go to You for your power in his weakness. How are you experiencing personal experience? Choose to depend on God. Have confidence to believe that He always has your best interest in mind. Remember these three encouraging words: I am helped. When your heart trusts in Him, you ARE helped!

Prayer: Dear God, Thank you for the Psalmist's words in Psalm 28:7. You are such a personal God to the Psalmist and also to me. You are my strength. My shield. My heart trusts. My heart exults. With my song I give thanks. Everything about You is personal! I'm so grateful that You are my God. My heart exults in You today! Amen.

Give Thanks to the Lord!

Spiritual Vitamin: "You are my God, and I will give you thanks; you are my God, and I will exalt you. Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; his love endures forever." (Psalm 118: 28-29)

Challenge: The Psalmist declares "You are MY God." Have you ever given much thought to that? God is deeply personal and knows all about you and still loves you perfectly. He created You! Are you deeply personal with God? Do you see the unique oneness you can have with Him? Do you give thanks to God? It's so easy during the Thanksgiving season to list out all the things you're thankful for. But, what about saying "I give thanks to the Lord for all the good things in my life?"

Prayer: Dear God, Thank you so much for the Psalmist here expressing his personal connection with God. To think that I can enjoy You as MY God is simply astounding! Help me to always remember to give thanks to You, the giver of all good gifts. Thank you that your love endures forever. Amen.

Overflowing With Thanksgiving

Spiritual Vitamin: "So, then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live your lives in him, rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith, as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness." Colossians 2:6-7

Challenge: The Colossians were under attack from false teachers. They were trying to set aside or minimize Jesus Christ with their clever philosophies. In their minds, Christ alone was not enough. So Paul emphasized that  the full assurance of understanding cannot be had apart form Christ. God wants us to trust Him. Apart from faith, we cannot please God. All our relationships are built on trust, even more so, our relationship to God. Paul uses four participles to say what this walk in Christ looks like: rooted, built up, strengthened in the faith and overflowing with thanksgiving. How can you develop in these four areas of your walk with Christ?

Prayer: Dear God, I'm so grateful to learn about these four participles that say what this walk in Christ looks like! I desire so much to be rooted, built up, strengthened in the faith and overflowing with thanksgiving. Lord, help me to continue to live my life rooted in You. I love this verse and the challenge for my life. Amen.

His Love Endures Forever

Spiritual Vitamin: "Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good; his love endures forever."  1 Chronicles 16:34

Challenge: It's Thanksgiving week! We have so much to be thankful for! Remember who we give thanks to! Give thanks to the LORD! He is good all the time; all the time, He is good. His love endures forever. He will never ever NOT love you perfectly. His love is unconditional. Take time to consider the goodness of the Lord and take in His love. Give thanks to Him this Thanksgiving.

Prayer: Dear God, So often, I share what I'm thankful for, but I forget to say I'm to YOU for these things. You are the giver of all good gifts so I direct my praise fully to You. You are good and your love endures forever. I'm so grateful to You for so much! Amen.

Great is Thy Faithfulness!

Spiritual Vitamin: "Because of the Lord's great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness." (Lamentations 3:22-23)

Challenge: In the midst of COVID, it's easy to "feel" consumed. But because of the Lord's great love, we do not have to be. There is still hope! Did you know that the God's compassions were new every morning? He has tender affection for you EACH DAY! Each dawning day gives hope in fresh mercies and compassions from our God! No matter how bleak like may look, God's people can look to the new morning with faith and hope. (enduringword.com/commentary)Will you do that today?

Prayer: Dear God, Great is your faithfulness! You never fail in sending Your mercies and compassion. Even in times of challenge and despair, You are faithful. Lord, let me live with my head held high and with a spring in my step as I walk with this certainty. Great is your faithfulness! Amen.

Forget Not God's Benefits

 Spiritual Vitamin: "Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits, who forgives all your iniquity, who heals all your diseases, who redeems your life from the pit, who crowns you with steadfast love and mercy, who satisfies you with good so that your youth is renewed like the eagle's." Psalm 103:2-5

Challenge: Stop, pause and slowly read this scripture through several times. The Lord has many benefits that He pours out on You. Reflect on what you've seen Him do in your own life today.

Prayer: Dear God, Thank you so much for your goodness and benefits in my life. Sometimes, I forget to say thank you. The Psalmist here is so right on as He remembers your great promises. Lord, may You give me a grateful spirit today as I reflect on who You are. Amen.

Let us Sing for Joy!

Spiritual Vitamin: "O Come, let us sing for joy to the Lord; Let us shout joyfully to the rock of my salvation. Let us come into his presence with thanksgiving; let us make a joyful noise to him with songs of praise! For the Lord is a great God, and a great King above all gods."  Psalm 95:1-3

Challenge: Did you notice in this verse there are four "Let us" statements. Let us sing. Let us shout joyfully. Let us come into his presence with thanksgiving. Let us make a joyful noise. What would happen if you actually practiced doing that? How would your attitude change?

Prayer: Dear God, I know that praise and thanksgiving is good for the soul. But it's so much more, Lord. You want us to give YOU praise and give YOU thanksgiving. As I come into your presence with thanksgiving, I find hope, healing, encouragement and joy! Thank you, Lord. Amen.

Give Thanks for He is Good!

Spiritual Vitamin: "Oh give thanks to the Lord, for he is good, for his steadfast love endures forever!" Psalm 107:1

Challenge: God has done so much for you and you have so much for which to thank Him for. He wants us to tell everyone all that He has done. Will you take a moment and give thanks to God for all He has done in your life? (Life Application Study Bible, NIV)

Prayer: Dear God, Thank you so much for all You have done! I am so grateful for your goodness. Your steadfast love endures forever! As I approach Thanksgiving, let me remember that thanksgiving can be EVERY day! Amen.

For Our Benefit

Spiritual Vitamin: "All this is for your benefit, so that the grace that is reaching more and more people may cause thanksgiving to overflow to the glory of God." 2 Corinthians 4:15

Challenge: Paul is saying that everything is for God's people. God shows his grace (kindness) to them when he brought them into a right relationship with himself. His grace is constantly active in their lives. He uses the circumstances of their lives to bring about his plan for them. So, God is working, and using, all things for their benefit. What is our response? We bring God glory in our lives and thank him for his work! (www.usefulbible.com)

Prayer: Dear God, Thank you so much for your goodness and blessings in our lives. That you that you bestow your grace and kindness to us through sending your Son, Jesus, so that we could have a right relationship with Him. Thank you for your grace! It's so beautiful and gives such meaning to life. I pray that I would be able to have a spirit of thanksgiving that overflows from my heart for your glory. Amen.

Burden Bearer

Spiritual Vitamin: "The Lord is near to all who call on him, to all who call on him in truth. He fulfills the desires of those who fear him; he hears their cry and saves them." Psalm 145:18-19

Challenge: We can sometimes feel that our burdens are more than we can bear. David points us to our great burden bearer. He is near to all who call on him. He hears our cries and saves us. What are the burdens that you are carrying today? God is able to life you up and bear your burden. That is something to give thanks for!

Prayer: Dear God, Thank you for this glorious Psalm that is full of amazing attributes of who you are. You are gracious, compassionate, slow to anger and rich in low. You are good to all. I stop and take in the fact that You are near to me as I call on You. Thank you that You fulfill the desires of those who fear Him. I give you praise and thanks for being my Lord. Amen.

The Lord is my Strength

Spiritual Vitamin: "The Lord is my strength and my shield, my heart rests in him, and he helps me. My heart leaps for joy, and with my song I praise him.

Challenge:Here we have David's confession of faith from his own personal experience. The Lord was his strength. The Lord infuses strength into him (and us) when he is weak. His heart trust in him and he was helped! Please note that his heart is mentioned twice to show the truth of his faith and his joy. Does your heart leap for joy at the thought of God? When God blesses us, we should also bless Him with all of our heart.

Prayer: Dear God, Thank you so much for this beautiful word from King David. His heart loved God and he spoke with such deep conviction that the Lord was his strength and his shield. Father, may my heart rest in You. You help me! May I praise You today with all my heart! Amen.

Our Good Shepherd

Spiritual Vitamin: "The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want. He makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside still waters." Psalm 23:1-2

Challenge: The Lord longs to be your shepherd! Do you fall easily into the same old trap thinking that you need to do and do and that the world depends on your efforts? God wants you to come to Him. To sit with him beside the green pastures. It is there you will rest and be restored. On this day breathe deep and give your stresses and needs to the Great Shepherd. Don't try to do everything! He is a breath away! Thank Him for being your Good Shepherd.

Prayer: Dear God, Lead me, Good Shepherd, and teach me to rest in your green pastures. You know how I need your leadership in my life. Guide me today, Lord. Show me how to rest. Restore my joy. Refresh my spirit. Thank you! Amen.

Magnify God!

Spiritual Vitamin: "I will praise the name of God with a song; I will magnify him with thanksgiving." Psalm 69:30

Challenge: 1 Corinthians 10:31 says "So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God." Do everything so that God might be magnified in your life! What a calling! How can Christ be magnified in your life today?

Prayer: Dear God, I confess the weakness of my heart to take time and magnify you. It's so easy to magnify myself or other things more than magnify You! Awaken a longing in me to magnify you in my life! Help me each day to magnify you with thanksgiving. I know when I do, that my attitude will change as well. Thank you! Amen.

Give Thanks!

Spiritual Vitamin: "Oh give thanks to the Lord, for he is good, for his steadfast love endures forever!" Psalm 107:1

Challenge: We often just give thanks. Period. We need to remember that we give thanks to the Lord. He is the giver of all good gifts. He is good! His steadfast love endures forever. He will never let go of you! He loves you so much. This Thanksgiving, don't just say what you're thankful for. Thank the Lord for each of these things!

Prayer: Dear God, Thank you that You are good all the time. All the time You are good. You're steadfast, never changing, unconditional love endures forever. Nothing I could do could take away your love. Help me give thanks to You. You alone are worthy of my praise. Amen.

No Grumbling

Spiritual Vitamin: "Do all things without grumbling or disputing; that you may be blameless and innocent, children of God without blemish in the midst of a crooked and twisted generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world." Philippians 2:14-15

Challenge:As we approach Thanksgiving, gratitude is all around us! But, what keeps you from being grateful? What are the things you've grumbled about in the last 24 hours? How can you live with a spirit of gratitude EVERY day? Begin practicing today!

Prayer: Dear God, Thank you for this command to do all things without grumbling or disputing. I find that it is so easy to grumble about things during COVID. Please help me stop grumbling and develop a heart of gratitude. May I live each day with a spirit of gratitude that pleases You, changes my heart and effects others! Amen.

Fragrance of Christ

Spiritual Vitamin: "But thanks be to God, who in Christ always leads us in triumphal procession, and through us spreads the fragrance of the knowledge of him everywhere." 2 Corinthians 2:14

Challenge: In the 2nd letter to the Corinthians, Paul had gone through so many challenging circumstances. More than we'll every know! They were tossed about by every possible difficulty and danger. But in this time, Paul learned a valuable lesson. He must trust not in his own abilities, but God. He was able to THANK God. When you're surrounded by many sorts of dangers and difficult circumstances, are you able to thank God? Are you a sweet smelling aroma of the knowledge of Christ in every place?

Prayer: Dear God, Thank you that no matter what may come in our life, that in Christ, we are always lead to victory. I pray that by prayer and supplication, I will always be lead in triumph to your praise and glory. I desire my life to be a living sacrifice of the knowledge of Him in every place. Thank you, God! Amen.

Every Good Gift

 Spiritual Vitamin: "Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change." James 1:17

Challenge:James is encouraging us to remember that God gave you EVERY single good thing in your life. He is the source of all good you have. He does not change, even when our circumstances change. He is always a good God. He never changes. Thank God today for His goodness in your life. Acknowledge that God is good, even amidst some of the challenging circumstances you are going through.

Prayer: Dear God, Thank you so much for the reminder that every good and perfect gift is from You. You are good ALL the time. All the time, you are good. Thank you that your character remains the same throughout time and into eternity. God, it is because of your grace that we receive what we don't deserve. Thank you for your amazing love towards us by sending Jesus, your beloved Son to be the sacrifice for our sin. Amen.

Life Overflowing With Praise

Spiritual Vitamin: "I will bless the Lord at all times, his praise shall continually be in my mouth. My soul shall make its boast in the LORD; The humble shall hear of it and be glad." Psalm 34:1-2

Challenge: Charles Spurgeon said "Not in my heart merely, but in my mouth too. Our thankfulness is not to be a silent thing."  What would it look like if your praise wasn't a silent thing? What would it look like if "thanksgiving" wasn't just one day each year, but every day for you?

Prayer: Dear God, Thank you so much for the Psalmist who spoke with such conviction about his gratitude and praise to the Lord. Lord, would you help me to bless You at all times? Could praising you continually be on my mouth? Lord, may it be true of me! Amen.

Giving Thanks!

 Spiritual Vitamin: "And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him." Colossians 3:17

Challenge: What would it look like for you to live like this today? How would this change you? How would it affect others around you? Asking questions like: Is what I say and do honoring God? What would it look like if I live in total dependence upon the Lord? 

Prayer: Dear God, I totally need your help in living out this verse. Living my life, in word or deed, is what I desire. Let my words be right and my my actions be upright. Help me begin with you, and end with you, invoking your name and praying for your support. You tell me to give thanks to You, Lord, in ALL my actions. Lord, I'm so grateful! Amen.

This is the Day!

Spiritual Vitamin: "This is the day that the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it." Psalm 118:24

Challenge: When things go well, it's really easy to rejoice and be glad. How do we live with this kind of gratitude when days are filled with sadness and disappointment? Practice rejoicing and being glad in Him as you recount the many blessings that the Lord has done for you. 

Prayer: Dear God, Help me to rejoice and be glad in You each day of my life, no matter what the circumstances of life. Even when pain and disappointment enter my life, Lord, it's in these circumstances I find it hard to rejoice. But, help me see that I'm rejoicing in the hope that I have in You throughout eternity. Thank You! Amen. 

Thankful in Everything!

Spiritual Vitamin: "God is in control, and therefore in EVERYTHING I can give thanks-not because of the situation but because of the One who directs and rules over it." Kay Arthur

Challenge: What makes it hard for you to give thanks? Take a moment and give thanks for the "hard stuff" trusting that the One who directs and rules over it is faithful.

Prayer: Dear God, Thank you so much for your sovereign control over ALL the universe! How dare we live in fear or remorse when things don't go the way WE want them to. Please, Lord, give me a renewed vision to give you thanks in ALL things. Thank you! Amen.

And be Thankful!

Spiritual Vitamin: "And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body. And be thankful." Colossians 3:15

Challenge: Praise and gratitude naturally flows out of peace in one's heart. Peace comes from our relationship with Christ.  The statement "And be thankful" is present imperative and literally says "keep on becoming thankful." We need to allow this to be our habitual practice? How do you daily experience an attitude of gratitude, even when there are challenges all around you? 

Prayer: Dear Father, Thank you so much for the command "And be thankful." I see how peace in my heart is tied to being grateful. Lord, would your peace reign in my heart today? Thank you that in Psalm 29:11 you say "The LORD will give strength to His people. The LORD will bless His people with peace." I desire to live in that peace each day and be thankful. Amen.

Thanksgiving and Peace

Spiritual Vitamin: Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus." Philippians 4:7

Challenge: Maybe your anxious about the election today? Slowly read this verse. Pause and reflect on a word or two that stands out to you. Slowly read this verse again. Pause again and reflect on a word or two that stands out to you. How do you want to live this day? Will the peace of God rule in your heart, no matter what the outcomes of this day bring?

Prayer: Dear God, Thank you so much for this verse that is a recipe for me in times of anxiety. You literally tell me not to be anxious about ANYTHING! Instead, You want me to come to you and thank you and tell you what's on my heart. Oh, Lord, thank you for the gift of being in relationship with You. I'm so grateful that you give peace, which I need so much. I trust you for the outcomes of this day. Amen.

Come Into His Presence

Spiritual Vitamin: "Let us come into his presence with thanksgiving; let us make a joyful noise to him with songs of praise!" Psalm 95:2

Challenge: On the day before elections, why not try spending a few moments being thankful to God? Maybe that's a simple prayer. Or, maybe offer a worship song to God? Take a walk and look for things in creation to thank Him for. Take your mind of the elections, come into God's presence and be thankful. You will see your anxiety and worries drift away as you experience His peace.

Prayer: Thank you, God, for your word, that invites us to come into Your presence and give thanks! Lord, you have created each one of us and You have the entire world in your hands. When we lift our hearts and minds off what's going on around us and stop and praise you, things DO change. We start this November with a spirit of gratitude, thanking You for the gift of life itself and to live in our great country. Amen.

Gift of Rest

Spiritual Vitamin: Immediately Jesus made the disciples get into the boat and go on ahead of Him to the other side, while He dismissed the crowd. After he had dismissed them, He went up on a mountainside by Himself to pray...alone." 

Challenge: Even amidst Jesus' busy schedule, He took time to get away and go be with His Father. He NEEDED time with His Father. If He did, shouldn't we? What keeps you from spending time with Jesus? Are you too busy? Do you feel guilty for taking a break and resting? Challenge yourself to the gift of rest. Spend time with your Father in heaven who loves you so much!

Prayer: Dear God, There is always something vying for my time and attention. Sometimes, it's my phone keeping up with the latest news or twitter post. But, Lord, help me to slow. Help me to be comfortable with getting alone with You. You love hanging out with me! I come to You today and rest at your feet. Amen.